Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a high speed taxi test resulting in unintentional flight and ground collision.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he was completing high speed taxi tests when the airplane inadvertently became airborne. The airplane climbed to about 50 to 70 feet above ground level and the pilot attempted to touch back down to land. The airplane descended quickly and he applied right rudder and pushed the controls forward. The airplane impacted the ground, incurring substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Documentation provided by the airplane manufacturer recommended against high speed taxi.
Source record
Factual narrative
According to several pilots that were in the traffic pattern, the pilot announced over the common traffic advisory frequency that he was taking off from runway 36. In a statement to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot reported that he was completing high speed taxi tests when the airplane inadvertently became airborne. The airplane climbed to about 50 to 70 feet above ground level before the pilot pushed the controls forward to land. The airplane descended "fast" and the pilot pulled back in order to arrest the descent. Then, he applied right rudder, pushed forward on the controls again, and the airplane impacted the ground, and incurred substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Documentation provided by the manufacturer recommended against high speed taxi. Despite several requests, the pilot did not submit a Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, form 6120, to the National Transportation Safety Board.